I had gotten the go-ahead to start work on a number of high-profile productions; one Hollywood blockbuster, one ballet and two operas. 

I had my team primed and ready to start work on the costumes and my biggest worry was what to start first.

A month later, all the work had dried up, like most other people in the costume industry, and the world was in lockdown.

Suddenly, the most pressing issue was where to find a pack of toilet paper and a container of hand soap within a 5-mile radius of my house. 

Tough times.

Being a Class-A busybody, I let myself get roped into making scrubs for the local hospital. I was only too glad to be of use, when so many doctors and nurses, along with other key workers struggled to care for the sick and keep the country ticking over.

One set of scrubs turned into a full set of 75 scrub bags before I knew what was happening.

It was at this time, I needed a mask and couldn’t find one, so I made one. As well as a couple for the rest of my family, using a mask pattern which a friend of mine offered to me as my family seemed prefer over mine. Thanks guys…

One morning, as I pegged out another set of donated fabrics on my washing line, my neighbour called out to me over the back garden fence.

She needed a washable face mask. Her paper ones were in tatters and she still had to get out and about to care for others. She had seen my home-made ones and rather liked them. Could I help?

I most certainly could.

I made her two masks. And that was that.

Or so I thought.

A few days later, I was stopped in the street. Someone else liked my mask. Could I make them one?  I did.

And the demand kept growing, so a started making them a few at a time.

I now make them in sets of 10 in a variety of colours,  so I opened up an Esty shop – JFCTailoring - and put my stock in.

You too can buy a mask. All fabrics are of limited quantity, when it's gone – it’s gone.

Have a look and – STAY SAFE.